Chapter 269: Female Official

The new emperor still had that approachable demeanor.

"This time I was able to smoothly recover the capital; you all deserve great credit. I should drink heartily with you—no returning until drunk!"

Gu Rongjin: "Does this mean we're holding a banquet? We should celebrate for three days and three nights!"

"I also plan to open Shanglin Park during the banquet, inviting the common folk to come in and rejoice together with them," the new emperor said.

Mu Yuanzhi was startled: "Opening Shanglin Park?"

Since ancient times, Shanglin Park has been an imperial garden; not to mention ordinary commoners, even officials below the sixth rank are not allowed to enter or leave.

Your Majesty actually wants to open it?

"Well, this unexpected disaster must have left the capital's people feeling anxious; I could only think of this way to let them relax," the new emperor said. "I also plan to exempt the nation's taxes for one month. I originally wanted to extend it longer, but any longer and the treasury would be empty."

Gu Rongjin: "Your Majesty is benevolent; I, too, will respond by opening the granaries and distributing grain!"

Mu Yuanzhi: "I support it."

"With your initiative, more officials will surely respond, and my heart will feel a bit easier," the new emperor said.

Leaving Xuanshi Hall, Mu Yuanzhi frowned upon seeing Pei Shanghua.

Why did Pei Shanghua come as well?

"Ah Zhi younger sister!"

Gu Rongjin stepped in front of Mu Yuanzhi: "What's the matter, Your Lordship?"

Pei Shanghua glanced at Gu Rongjin, then earnestly pleaded with Mu Yuanzhi: "Ah Zhi younger sister, please go see my older brother! He's suffering terribly in the Imperial Court of Justice!"

"What use is he? I'm not the emperor—I can't just release him," Mu Yuanzhi retorted. "Besides, he's a former crown prince; even the emperor would treat him leniently, letting him remain an idle prince, but he refuses to submit. Frankly, in such a case, execution would be justified."

Her words made Pei Shanghua's heart panic.

This is fact; a former crown prince has no reason to survive.

The elder brother is a bit ungrateful, yet he can still understand the elder brother's feelings.

He also doesn't want to submit, nor does he want to watch his father's realm be handed over to others, but he has no choice; he can only do this, powerless.

Mother said preserving one's life is most important; keep alive to see how the new emperor governs the realm.

"You're right, but maybe if you see him and advise him, he might change his mind," Pei Shanghua pleaded.

"I won't go see him; if you want to go, you go yourself," Mu Yuanzhi repeated.

Gu Rongjin: "Alright, stop arguing; we're busy."

"Ah Zhi younger sister!"

Seeing them about to leave, Pei Shanghua hurried after them: "What about me? Can I come find you?"

"If there's nothing, it's best not to," Mu Yuanzhi said expressionlessly.

"But I can come see you even when I see Nian Di..." Pei Shanghua's expression looked like an abandoned dog.

Mu Yuanzhi: "If he comes to see me, the reply is the same."

"Alright, then I'll come find you again after a while."

Pei Shanghua said that and left, but he took three steps, turned back, hoping for a reaction from Mu Yuanzhi—she walked away without looking back.

Ah Zhi younger sister…

How exactly must we be to return to how we were before?

The new emperor's banquet is in three days; Shanglin Park will be opened for the people to enjoy together. That day, Shanglin Park was especially lively, and Gu Rongjin was summoned early by the Pingnan Prince, who said their family hadn't seen each other in a long time and it was time to gather properly.

Before, for various reasons, the Pingnan Prince and his wife had few chances to interact with Mu Yuanzhi; this time they insisted on having a good chat with their daughter-in-law no matter what.

"Little Zhi, come quickly, let Mother have a look."

The Pingnan Wangfu took Mu Yuanzhi's hand, smiling broadly: "You really are becoming more and more beautiful; our Jin'er is truly blessed."

Mu Yuanzhi momentarily wasn't used to it—how could a woman she hardly ever saw suddenly call her "Mother"?

She had originally intended to call her "Mother-in-law"…

"What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable?" the Pingnan Princess Consort immediately understood Mu Yuanzhi's thoughts and said: "Don't think of me as your mother-in-law, which is why you want to call me Mother; think of me as treating you as my own daughter, while Jin'er is merely my son-in-law—wouldn't that feel less awkward?"

The Pingnan Prince nodded beside her: "Exactly, that's the reasoning!"

Mu Yuanzhi: "Ah?"

However, once this shift in thinking occurred, the awkward feeling disappeared.

"Father, Mother, I'm still here, and you have such a big son still present—how can you kick me out in front of me?" Gu Rongjin was displeased.

"Shut up, you useless brat!" the Pingnan Prince snorted. "You've been married this long and still haven't given your father a grandson or granddaughter to hold—are you incapable?!"

Gu Rongjin stared wide-eyed: "Father! This isn't a no‑man's‑land!"

With so many people coming and going, what if someone actually believes it?!

"Honey, quickly dispel the rumor for your husband," Gu Rongjin clung to Mu Yuanzhi like a boneless lump.

Mu Yuanzhi's ears turned red; she shoved Gu Rongjin aside with her elbow: "Get out of my way."

"How come even you despise me now?"

Can this world still get better?

"Little Zhi, seriously, do you two have no plans for children?" the Pingnan Princess Consort asked Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi: "We're planning to wait until the war ends before making plans."

"Hasn't it just ended? This should be a new beginning!" the Pingnan Princess Consort happily took Mu Yuanzhi's hand, saying: "The child my little Zhi bears will surely be the smartest in the world; I've always wanted a daughter, but after giving birth to Jin'er my health declined, and the imperial physicians advised against having more children—this has been my lifelong regret. Fortunately, now we have little Zhi; if she bears a little granddaughter, I'll have no regrets."

Gu Rongjin hurried to pull his mother: "Mother, don't put pressure on little Zhi!"

"I'm not pressuring little Zhi; I'm pressuring you!" the Pingnan Princess Consort glared at her son: "It's all your fault for being useless!"

"Fine, fine, I'm useless; you three chat," Gu Rongjin couldn't take it anymore.

Not far away, Xiao Yichen silently watched this scene—a harmonious family of four discussing having children—however you look at it, it's eyesore!

After the war subsided, he returned to the post of Senior Grand Secretary; although the cabinet's authority wasn't as great as before, he was still an honorable official who didn't disgrace his lineage.

He should be content.

But what he most desires is now out of reach.

Xiao's father and mother were also nearby; they also saw the Prince Pingnan's family living in bliss, and they regretted it deeply.

These should have belonged to the Xiao family!

Mu Yuanzhi should have been the Xiao family's daughter-in-law; if she had married in smoothly, things would be different now.

The new emperor values Mu Yuanzhi greatly; not only did he retain her princess status, but he also appointed her to posts in the Ministry of Works and the military—there hasn't been a female official in the court for a long time, showing how highly the new emperor regards her.